Filling and smoothing seems the REAL easy way.

mikepowers

Member since
January 2005
From: Ohio

Filling and smoothing seems the REAL easy way.

Posted by mikepowers on Friday, August 5, 2005 11:47 AM

Is it just me,
I have not heard much talk about using alcohol to smooth an aircraft wing root after applying putty.
If this technique is used then no tedious sanding is needed.
I have tried this and it works great.
Just dab a rag in alcohol and wipe off the excess putty.
But, am I missing something?
It doesn't seem to be a popular method amongst modelers.

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waikong

Member since
December 2002
From: NYC, USA

Posted by waikong on Friday, August 5, 2005 12:16 PM

I use it all the time. Unfortunately, not all gaps can be effectively remedied this way. I used nail polish remover, the kind with acetone in it.

My website: http://waihobbies.wkhc.net

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 5, 2005 12:21 PM

Mike-we modelers prefer to drink alcohol rather that rub things with it. I'll give that a try-but one thing is that most puttys shrink when they dry, leaving a low spot. But that's not to say your technique isn't good-as I said I will try it. BTW what type putty are you using?
Another thing-go to your hardware store and get some wet or dry sandpaper from 220 thru 600. Sanding wet gets a better finish and also cuts faster. Here's to alcohol!

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mikepowers

Member since
January 2005
From: Ohio

Posted by mikepowers on Friday, August 5, 2005 12:50 PM

Thanks waikong & trowlfazz, believe me, I drink my share of alcohol.
Usually I use Testors or Squadron green putty.
I do wet sand alot also.
It doesn't take as long to fill seems this way as the typical filling and sanding.
The low spots can be filled and smoothed again with alcohol.
I just wonder why more modelers don't use this technique.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 5, 2005 1:20 PM

Well, Mike-we're not the brightest group. I take you use rubbing or isopropol (?) alcohol.

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mikepowers

Member since
January 2005
From: Ohio

Posted by mikepowers on Friday, August 5, 2005 1:30 PM

Both seem (get it) to work just fine.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 5, 2005 4:36 PM

Mike-any more puns from you and you will be demoted to "Paste Eater". ;-)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 5, 2005 4:52 PM

"Well, Mike-we're not the brightest group. I take you use rubbing or isopropol (?) alcohol."

They are the same.

Do you mean Testors contour putty, or Model Master red putty? Alcohol doesn't work on lacquer based putties.

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SNOOPY

Member since
December 2002

Posted by SNOOPY on Friday, August 5, 2005 4:58 PM

Swanny has an article on his website about using putty and nail polish remover (w/ acetone). I never tried the alcohol routine. I used the nail polish remover on a batmobile I am building for removing seems and I have to say it worked pretty good.